This is a discussion on Going Stage 1 Possibly Stage 2 within the Tuning: Electronic Engine Management forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; At one time I was set up for stage 2 with the stock catback, made 220whp in airboy @ 19psi. ...

At one time I was set up for stage 2 with the stock catback, made 220whp in airboy @ 19psi. I then got a 3in catback and retuned it and was at 240whp in airboy at 19psi. I don't know how much of a difference it will make between a 2.5in catback and a 3in. Im sure it will be very little if you are going to use the cobb ots map.

At one time I was set up for stage 2 with the stock catback, made 220whp in airboy @ 19psi. I then got a 3in catback and retuned it and was at 240whp in airboy at 19psi. I don't know how much of a difference it will make between a 2.5in catback and a 3in. Im sure it will be very little if you are going to use the cobb ots map.

Does the STI unit perform better than the OE unit? If so, I may go that route.

Yes, but not for your purposes. The reason Matty suggested an aftermarket TMIC is primarily to reduce your pressure drop across the core rather than the charge cooling effect (the bar-and-plate design is less restrictive than tube-and-fin albeit heavier) .

lol at "glassbox." You can thank the DSM crowd of inexperienced drivers for that moniker.

If you don't believe me, PM Ray. He's pushing about 340wtq through the "glassbox" 2002 Transmission.

Just doing little pulls is completely different than what the op is intending, unless Ray goes to the 1/4 very often(I have no clue). Your never going to get a decent time out of the car even with stage 2 if you don't launch it hard, the 02-05 are slow in last half of the track, so you need to really nail your 60'. The early 02 transmission is definitely weak and can't take someone launching it hard on stock power for long, let alone 340wtq. Hitting 2nd hard with a decent clutch that doesn't slip is usually the end at that power if you survive the launch. Just because the 10 bolt in the fbodys has seen 10 second passes on some peoples cars doesn't make it a good read end, in fact its a sh!t rear end that breaks all the time on sticky tires. Some are just lucky. Ray might have one of the few stronger ones out there.

Just doing little pulls is completely different than what the op is intending, unless Ray goes to the 1/4 very often(I have no clue). Your never going to get a decent time out of the car even with stage 2 if you don't launch it hard, the 02-05 are slow in last half of the track, so you need to really nail your 60'. The early 02 transmission is definitely weak and can't take someone launching it hard on stock power for long, let alone 340wtq. Hitting 2nd hard with a decent clutch that doesn't slip is usually the end at that power if you survive the launch. Just because the 10 bolt in the fbodys has seen 10 second passes on some peoples cars doesn't make it a good read end, in fact its a sh!t rear end that breaks all the time on sticky tires. Some are just lucky. Ray might have one of the few stronger ones out there.

The OP has a 4EAT transmission, which isn't plagued with the "glass" reputation.

Originally Posted by zax

Yes, but not for your purposes. The reason Matty suggested an aftermarket TMIC is primarily to reduce your pressure drop across the core rather than the charge cooling effect (the bar-and-plate design is less restrictive than tube-and-fin albeit heavier).

It's a two-tiered recommendation
1) The reduced pressure drop will increase spool and make transient response better
2) The better cooling will allow you to run more boost/timing and leaner AFRs with the same margin of safety as an equivalent tune with the OE TMIC.

Basically, from a safety margin, this is "free" power.

Originally Posted by Alexmartynyuk

At one time I was set up for stage 2 with the stock catback, made 220whp in airboy @ 19psi. I then got a 3in catback and retuned it and was at 240whp in airboy at 19psi. I don't know how much of a difference it will make between a 2.5in catback and a 3in. Im sure it will be very little if you are going to use the cobb ots map.

Same section of road? Same direction? Same atmospheric/weather conditions?

The OP has a 4EAT transmission, which isn't plagued with the "glass" reputation.

It also cannot effectively "launch" unless a high-stall torque converter is installed.

Originally Posted by EJ257

It's a two-tiered recommendation
1) The reduced pressure drop will increase spool and make transient response better
2) The better cooling will allow you to run more boost/timing and leaner AFRs with the same margin of safety as an equivalent tune with the OE TMIC.

Basically, from a safety margin, this is "free" power.

I acknowledge this. However, the OP asked about an STi intercooler. Since the pressure drop is nearly 2 PSI, which is effectively the same as the OEM TMIC, there will be no benefit for (1). He will achieve better cooling from the 20% larger core, but I don't see this as an effective modification for stage 2.

Yeah the first time I heard that I thought it was a bunch of bull, and then again my tranny is automatic so I didn't think it would be an issue. I'm sure he is running a standard tranny, but yeah I believe it.

Driving style is everything. I basically don't launch the car, ever, and rarely WOT in first gear. Hopefully this transmission will survive for a while.

It's difficult to say. Most autos haven't been modified like the 5MT. Furthermore, without a high-stall TC the auto cannot be launched in the classic sense of the word. There are 4EATs that have been pushed past 400whp. There are also 5MTs that have been pushed past 400whp. The critical difference, however, is that a bad shift can spell doom for the 5MT at those power levels whereas the 4EAT does not suffer from problems related to human involvement. The real benefit for the 4EAT is the 4WD system, which is far more technically advanced than the 5MT and even the DCCD from the 6MT. The 4EAT's 4WD system is the basis for the system used on the Impreza WRC.

Wow you all have given me a lot to consider. I really appreciate the criticism, seriously, it helps. I will certainly consider a new TMIC (should I install this post or pre tune with Access Port?).

I'm assuming the maps that come loaded on an Access Port would address and / or solve many of these issues that you all mentioned i.e. back pressure, running rich vs. lean, low end acceleration issues, etc.?

Wow you all have given me a lot to consider. I really appreciate the criticism, seriously, it helps. I will certainly consider a new TMIC (should I install this post or pre tune with Access Port?).

I'm assuming the maps that come loaded on an Access Port would address and / or solve many of these issues that you all mentioned i.e. back pressure, running rich vs. lean, low end acceleration issues, etc.?

If you're going with a generic base map from Cobb, only do the regular StageII modifications; you'll get little/no benefit from anything else.

If you're going with a generic base map from Cobb, only do the regular StageII modifications; you'll get little/no benefit from anything else.

So I hear that a lot of people are happy with Stage 1 for awhile and use it for a bit since it's an improvement over stock, is this true? I'll eventually get to stage 2 but most people say that going stage 1 is enough car to get used to.

So I hear that a lot of people are happy with Stage 1 for awhile and use it for a bit since it's an improvement over stock, is this true? I'll eventually get to stage 2 but most people say that going stage 1 is enough car to get used to.

Everyone is different. My car feels slow, and it's got a little more juice than a S1 2.0L WRX

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